claas-group.com

claas-group.com

claas-group.com

The Claas brothers

Under the name “Gebrüder Claas” (Claas Brothers), the firm became well known all around the world. So who were the company’s founding fathers, August, Bernhard, Franz and Theo, and what were they like?

New TUCANO - New Cutterbars

Customer Stories

Customer Stories

Testimonials and videos from this year's harvest with the new TUCANO 450-320.

New TUCANO 430

Charlie Oram, Wiltshire

“The whole machine is just well thought-out. It’s the little features like electric grain tank lids, the in-cab returns window and the on-board compressor to blow off at the end of the day that make it so good.”

Until a couple of years ago, Wyle Farming’s arable area extended to just 154ha (380 acres), complimenting the 60-head suckler herd and beef finishing enterprise.

At that stage a CLAAS DOMINATOR 98 Classic could comfortably cover the acreage but changes in contract farming agreements saw the cropped area climb to 223ha (550 acres) and the 16-year-old machine was then pushed to its limits.

“The Dominator was our second 98 – in over 25 years neither gave us a single issue during harvest,” explains driver Charlie Oram. “But the old girl was stretched at 550 acres and, having done 16 years loyal service, we felt we were probably pushing our luck in the reliability stakes. So last year we trialled a few different coloured machines just to see what was out there. But knowing the reliability and build quality of the CLAAS product we could see that there was no benefit in considering anything else so we ordered up a new TUCANO 430 with 6m VARIO header.”

Why a TUCANO 430?

“We wanted to stick with a straw-walker machine as straw is so valuable in this area. But we needed to up capacity to ensure we were cutting crops at their driest. With the old Dominator we would be doing 30 acres on a good day. The 430 takes us up closer to 50 acres a day.”

How has it performed?

“The TUCANO is a huge step up for us – it’s in a completely different league.”

“The cab has so much room and the seat is unbelievably comfortable. The armrest just cradles you wrist so that the joystick just falls naturally into your hand. Being able to alter everything from sieve settings to concave clearance through the CEBIS computer is a revelation, although we’ve found the standard CLAAS settings are pretty much spot on and we only have to make minor tweaks through the day. It also means we can get an accurate picture of output and how much crop we’ve got left to cut.”

“The straw chopper is really well designed. There are no belts or panels to mess with - it just swings into and out of work. The chaff spreader should be a big bonus in helping to avoid striping as well.”

“The whole machine is just well thought-out. It’s the little features like electric grain tank lids, the in-cab returns window and the on-board compressor to blow off at the end of the day that make it so good.”

“The 6m VARIO header has proved a revelation in rape – I just push the cutterbar out and the crop feeds in pods-first without wrapping or bull-dozing. But even in cereals it’s a dream. The auto-contour follows the ground faultlessly and the auto-reel speed feature is brilliant in matching forward speed. Better than that, having the reel automatically dropping down as you lift the header to scoop the last of the crop in means you don’t miss an ear.”

Jim Fullerton, Berwickshire

The Fullerton family has a long history with CLAAS combines. For the last thirty years white and green harvesters have been at the heart of the 303ha (750acre) arable operation at Corsbie Farm. Initially a Dominator 96 was responsible for clearing crops at the Berwickshire farm but, as the acreage grew, after a number of years’ loyal service that was replaced by a bigger 98 model.

A more modern Medion replaced that and in 2007, when looking to change the combine, James Fullerton, brother Colin and father Jimmy agreed to take a pre-production TUCANO 440 on evaluation. It proved itself and ended up staying for seven harvests before being swapped for another TUCANO 440 this year.

Again this model was a pre-series version, the whole range having undergone an extensive revamp with electronic concave adjustment, a faster turret-type unloading auger, more engine power and a whole host of other features.

How has it performed?

“We certainly seem to be covering the acres quicker, although we’re probably only travelling slightly faster, so that extra 2ft on the header is definitely making a difference.

“However, although the combine could clearly handle more, we wouldn’t want to go any wider – in damp conditions it would be difficult to maintain high quality straw in larger swaths.”

“Covering 5-6 acres an hour in 3.5t/acre crops is more than enough for us.”

Other Highlights

Unloading auger – “The bigger auger is much quicker to load trailers and folds in and out faster – swinging straight out is definitely a better design. The grain flows better and with the longer chute it’s sent directly downwards so you don’t lose anything on windy days.

“We ordered the over-length auger so that the trailers don’t have to run on- or straddle the swath which is very important to us. With over 1000 cattle to bed down we need the driest possible straw we can get – that’s why we bale our own.”

Concaves and sieves – “By having electronic control of concave clearances and sieve settings we’re producing a much cleaner sample and fewer returns because I’m able to tweak them as conditions change during the course of the day.

“Previously I would have had to get out to do it so it probably didn’t happen as often as it should have done.”

Cab and controls – “The new CEBIS computer is definitely easier to access. Replacing the old click-clack button with the hotkey means all the important stuff is at hand when it’s needed. “Although I do fine-tune the settings, CLAAS’ crop-specific presets are usually about bang-on.”

Chaff-spreader – “We’re getting a more even pattern from the new spreader unit and, thanks to the fact that it throws everything outwards, material never has the chance to bridge between it and the sieves.”

Why a TUCANO 440?

“Having had a TUCANO for seven years already we knew it was a solid concept,” explains James Fullerton.

“But, like everybody, we could always do with that little extra output. When the opportunity to run a pre-production version of the new TUCANO came up, we were keen.

“Essentially the same from a mechanical viewpoint, we were advised the new 440 would comfortably handle a 6.6m (22ft) header thanks to its extra power.”